Operating lever



Dec. 18, 1951 H. A. THORNBURG ETAL 2,579,102

OPERATING LEVER Filed sept.- 22, 195o 2 sHEETs-sI-EET 1 OPERATING LEVER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Sept. 22, 1950 l O l Ao w D #n A .wn Nw I lll l1 WN l .,.k 2

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By diams, Mm y ,5L-v Tug/R rroeA/ys Patented Dec. 18, 1951 OPERATING:l LEVER Herbal A. Thornburg and George D. Conrad, Anderson, Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Dela- Ware Application September 22, 1950, Serial No. 186,224

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for starting an internal combustion engine, by power driven by an electric motor.

It is common to provide the flywheel of an engine with teeth and to connect a motor with the engine, at the time of starting by a pinion which is moved axially along a splined or a screw shaft driven by the motor, this axial movement of the pinion causes its teeth to mesh with those on the flywheel. To provide this axial movement of the pinion is common to provide a lever which extends through an opening in the housing which houses the pinion and the shaft. This lever is actuated to shift or move a pinion into mesh with an engine gear.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of construction for the shift lever and the housing to prevent entrance of dirt and other foreign substance into the housing through an opening in the housing provided by the housing for receiving the shifting lever manfually or automatically operable which moves the pinion into mesh with the engine gear.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a lever construction of simple and compact construction and particularly to embody therein a rubber-like sleeve impervious to oil and grease, to prevent the leakage of oil, stirred up inside the flywheel casing when the engine is running, through the opening in housing provided by the housing for receiving the shifting lever.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of construction for the shift lever and the housing, particularly to the parts at the pivotal support of the lever, by which close joints are maintained at those points, while at the same time, be simple, compact, and economical, and the parts may be easily assembled.

The means by which these and other objects are accomplished, the motor housing is provided with a projection formed with a radial slot and with a smooth cylindrical bore, traversing the radial slot, for receiving a shaft for the lever. The shaft is provided with a diametrical opening for receiving one end of a shifting lever which extends through the radial slot to the exterior of the motor housing. The lever is insertable through the open end of the motor housing and through the opening of the shaft. The lever is secured to the shaft by a pin passing through a longitudinal passage inthe shaft and an aligned opening in the said one end of the lever with the other end of the lever within the motor housing.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description reference being 4had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodimentof the present invention is .clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary view, partly in longitudinal section of an engine starting apparatus embodying the present invention.

g Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

VFig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on lines 4-4 and 5-5, respectively of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View, partly in section of a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 'l is ya detail view showing the shifting lever, shown in Fig. 6, in rear elevation and part of the motor housing in section.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the shifting lever shown in Fig.v '7, and part of thehousing in section.

The present invention is illustratedk as embodied in a starting motor apparatus. Referring to Fig. l, 20 designates a field frame of an electric motor to which is secured an end member v2l and a gear housing 22 by bolts 23. The end member 2l supports a bearing 24 journalling an intermediate portion of a shaft 25, while the right end of the housing not shown, carries a bearing vfor supporting the right end of the shaft 25.

The means for connecting the shaft 25 of the motorwith the flywheel of the engine, not shown, includes a pinion, not shown, and the shifting device for automatically causing the pinion to be demeshed is not new, the same principlebeing shown in the device as disclosed in the patent of John B. Dyer, No. 1,779,043, issued May 3l, 1931. The shifting device 29 as shown in Fig. l includes a notch 30 in a sleeve 3| which is mounted concentrically upon a hub 32. The hub supports discs 34 and 35 which space the sleeve 3l from sleeve 32; The disc 34 is provided adjacent its periphery with notches which receive tangs 36 extending from the sleeve 3|. Thus relative movement between the sleeve 3l and the disc 34 is limited in one direction toward the interior of the sleeve or the disc 35. The disc 35 is provided with a tang 3l whichy is received by an opening 38 in the sleeve. Since the shifting device is not part of the present invention and is described in the aforesaid patent further description and operation of same is deemed unnecessary. l

The present invention is directed to specific details of improvement in the shifting device with particular reference to the construction and to the method of assembly of the shifting lever, it being very desirable to mount the lever with the motor housing in position so that no dirt or foreign matter can enter the housing and also that no oil can leak past the pivotal support for the lever. In this respect a shifting lever All is adapted for engagement with the shifting device 29.

The lever is provided with fork portion 4l and Ia smooth cylindrical stud portion 4m. The fork portion has a pin or block 42 Xed 'thereto which is received by the notch 39 so that the sleeve 3l and the pinion not shown, may be moved axially along the shaft 25 into mesh with the engine gear by a rocking movement of the lever 48. One feature of the present invention is that the housing 22 is provided with a hollow outward projection 43 having a radial slot 44 and a smooth cylindrical bore 45 traversing the slot 44. The opposite ends of the bore 45, are enlarged at 46 to provide shoulders 41 and annular flanges 48. The bore 45 receives a shaft 49 having a perimetrical groove 58 intermediate its ends to provide bearing surfaces l which closely t the smooth surfaces 45 of the bore on opposite sides of the slot 44. The sha-'ft 491s provided with a dametrical opening 52 and with an axial passage 53. The perimetrical groove 59 supports a sleeve 54 of rubber-like material that will not be affected by oil or grease. This Vsleeve is of annular formation and is provided on its outer periphery with a bead 55 of rectangular formation for engagement with the bore surfaces surrounding the marginal walls of the slot 44. The

formation of the bead 55 is such that it will surround the slot in any position of `the lever 40. The sleeve 54 is provided with diametrical openings with one of the openings being positioned within the confines of the bead 55.

The other opening in the sleeve is surrounded by an annular bead 58. The diameter of the openings in the sleeve are slightly less than the diameter of the -rod so that the sleeve will grip the rod to form a seal joint about the rod. r-he rod 48 is secured to the vshaft by pin 51 which-is press fitted axially through the passage land an opening in the lever. The shaft is enclosed within the bore by discs 58 -forced into the enlarged portions of the bore and seated against the shoulder.

The construction just described is such that the shaft 49 provides the support bearing for the lever 49 and the slot 44 limits the lever -end 4| to rocking movements in one plane. Since the ends of the shaft 49 have a `close f'lt with the bore and the bead on the rubber-like'sleeve surrounding the slot 44 no dirt'or foreign matter can enter the housing from the outside of `the housing nor can oil splashed within the housing leak past the rubber-like sleeve through the slot to the outside of the housing.

The method of `assembling the lever 40 to the housing 22 is as follows: the rubber-like `sleeve 54 is first positioned within the groove 50 of the shaft 49 so that its openings will be in alignment with the opening 52. Then the shaft 491s placed within the bore 45 of the housing 22. When `the shaft is in the correct position the Apassage 52 will be in registry with the slot 44. The lever is inserted in the housing at the openend 5lof the housing with the cylindrical stud portion 4Ia forced through the openings of thesleeve 54 Yand the passage 52 of shaft 49. Then the pin 51 is press-fitted in the axial passage 53 of the shaft and the opening in the lever end 4I'. The bore is closed at the opposite end by plug disc 58. The upper end of the rod end is provided with an opening 69 which may receive a rod or other means, not shown, through which it is connected with a pedal by which the starter apparatus is operated.

Referring to Figs. 6, 'l and 8, a modified form of a starting motor isy shown having` a'eldframe 19, an end member ll and a gear housing 12. The starting motor is provided with an armature shaft *I3 and a sleeve 14. The shaft has a splined connection with an overruning clutch mechanism 15 so that the clutch rotates with the shaft, but is-slidable thereon.

A pinion 'l5 is connected to one end of the sleeve while the otherend of the sleeve 'J4 is connected with a vclutch part. A second sleeve T is connected with another part of the clutch. This sleeve is provided'with a grooved collar lll which when moved tothe right by a shifting lever 89 will operate, through a coil spring 8l coiled about the sleeve I4 between the clutch 'l5 and the pinion 'i8 to move the pinion toward the flywheel, not shown of the engine. VI-f 'the pinion '58 strikes .the gear tooth of the flywheel the spring will yield. The specific construction l'of this clutch is not material so far as the present invention is con cerned and since the clutches of this character are known and in common use, thespecinc construction thereof will not be further described.

The lever is provided with a yoke 8| at its lower end, the arms of which have projection lugs 82 which are received in the ,groove or collar 18. The `upper end of the lever 831s machined round and is provided with an opening 84. The upper end extends through a diametrical opening 85 in a shaft 86 whichrhas a close fit with a bore 8l of an extension 88 of the housing '12. The extension is provided with a radial slot 89. A pin 98 is press `fitted in a bore 9i of the shaft 86 and through an opening through the end 83 of lever 88 to secure the lever to the shaft The bore on opposite sides of the notch 88 are cylindrically machined to provide bearing surfaces coaXially with the shaft B. The shaft S6 has a cose fit with the bearing surfaces so that as the shaft rotates with the levery Si) in the different positions the slot 88 will be sealed to prevent entrance of dirt and other foreign matter into the housing.

The lever 80 is operated by a pedal, not shown, operated from within the automobile which is l suitably connected with a member attached to the upper end of the lever 89 by a pin 98.

Themotor is controlled by a switch located within a case 91 attached to the frame 78. The switch is closed by downward movement of a switch plunger98. The switch is normally opened by a spring 98 located between the switch case and a cap |08 attached to the plunger. The cap is located in the path of movement of a head of an adjustable bolt 18|. The bolt has threaded engagement with an arm 92 of the member 95 and is held in adjusted position by a lock nut |53. The Vmethod of assembling the lever 88 to the housing 12 is as follows: the overrunning Vclutch mechanism 15 is rst located within the gear housing '12. Then the shaft 855V is positioned within the bore 81 of extension 88 with the opene ing 85 in shaft 8B registering with `the slot 89 of extension 88.V The lever 88 is then inserted in the housing 'I2 at the open end H8 as lindicated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 8. The lever 80 is then moved upwardly to the position shown in full lines. During this operation, the lever end 83 is pushedthrough the opening 85 of shaft 85. When the lever vlll] is in the position shown in full lines the pin 89 is press-fitted in the passage 84 of `shaft 86. As the pin is forced 'into the passage it passes through an opening Si provided in the end 83. After the lever is so fixed the clutch mechanism .15 is assembled with the armature shaft 13. After 'which the housing 5 is attached to the frame 10 by bolts H2 only a portion of one is shown. These bolts extend through the eld frame 10.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

We claim:

l. In combination, a housing provided with an end-opening and having an integral external projection provided with a radial slot and with a cylindrical bore traversing the slot; a pivot shaft having a relatively small axial passage therein and having a diametrical transverse opening intermediate its ends, said shaft having a diameter to t the bore closely; a shifting lever having one end passing through the diametrical opening of the shaft and the slot of the projection to the exterior of the projection, said one end being insertable through the open end of the housing: and a pin press-fitted in the passages of the shaft and lever whereby all of said parts are held in assembled relation with the other end of the lever within the housing.

2. In combination, a housing provided with an end opening and having an integral extension provided with a slot in communication with the interior of the housing and with a cylindrical bore traversing the slot, a pivot shaft having an opening passing transversely through the shaft, said shaft ends having a diameter to t opposite ends of the bore closely, a shifting lever having one end passing through the opening of the shaft and the slot of the extension, said end being insertable through the open-end of the housing; a connection between the shaft and lever whereby all of said parts are held in assembled relation, said lever having its other end located within the housing.

3. In combination, a housing provided with an end-opening and with a radial slot and with a cylindrical bore traversing the slot; a hub located within the bore and having a diametrical passage in communication with the slot, said hub having a close fit with the bore; a shifting lever having a forked end and a single shank extending through the diametrical passage of the hub and the lateral slot of the housing, said lever as a whole being inserted through the open end of the housing; and a pin press-fitted to the hub and passing through an opening provided by the shank whereby all parts are held in assembled relation with the forked end of the lever located within the housing.

4. In combination, a housing provided with an end-opening and with a radial slot and with a cylindrical bore traversing the slot; a hub located within the bore and having a diametrical passage in communication with the slot, said hub having a close t with the bore; a shifting lever having a straight end and a bent end located to one side of normal plane of the straight end, said straight end extending through the diametrical passage of the hub and the lateral slot of the housing, said lever, as a whole, being inserted through the open end of the housing;

and a key member carried by the hub and pass.

ing through an opening in the shank of the lever for locking Athe lever to the hub with the bent end of the lever within the housing.

5. In combination, a housing having an open end and having a projection lprovided with a slot communicating withthe interior of the housing and having a cylindrical bore traversing the slot, a shaft mounted in the bore and having a close t therewith, said shaft having a diametrical opening and an axial passage and an annular groove, a sleeve of compressible elastic material mounted in the groove and including a non-circular bead on its outer surface snugly engaging the bore and surrounding the slot, said sleeve having openings in alignment with the opening of the shaft; a lever having a shank provided with a transverse opening passing through the openings of the sleeve and shaft and through the slot, said shank being inserted from the open end of the shank; a pin press tted in the axial passage of the shaft and the opening of the shank whereby all parts are held in assembled relation.

6. In combination, a housing provided with an end-opening and with a radial slot and with a cylindrical bore traversing the slot, a shaft provided with an annular groove intermediate its ends and with a diametrical passage terminating within the confines of the groove, said shaft portion-s beyond the confines of the groove having a close fit with the bore; a sleeve of rubber-like material located Within the groove and having opening in alignment with opposite ends of the diametrical passage; a shifting lever having a straight end and a bent end extending to one side of the normal plane of the straight end, said straight end extending through the opening of the rubber-like sleeve, the diametrical passage of the shaft and through the radial slot of the housing, said lever being inserted through the open end of the housing with portion of the rubber like sleeve held under compression tov provide seal joints between the sleeve and straight end of the shaft and also between portions of the sleeve and portions of the cylindrical bore; and a pin press-fitted in a passage provided by the shaft and passing through the straight end of the lever and securing it to the shaft with the bent end of the lever within theI housing.

7. Inv combination, a housing provided with an end opening and having an integral external projection provid-ed with a slot and with a cylindrical bore traversing the slot; a shaft having a diameter to t the bore closely, said shaft having a key way therethrough, and having a perimetrical groove intermediate its ends and having a diametrical opening communicating with the groove, a rubber-like sleeve positioned with the groove and having opposite openings aligned with opposite ends of the passage, said sleeve having a bead of s'uch configuration so as to surround the slot and held under compression between the shaft and inner surfaces of the bore; a lever having a shank end provided with an aperture and passing through the openings of the sleeve and the opening of the shaft and through the slot, said shank being insertable through the open end of the housing; a key fitted in the'keyway and the passage of the shank whereby all parts are held in assembled relation, said lever having its other end located within the housing.

HERBAL A. THORNBURG. GEORGE D. CONRAD.

No references cited. 

